of cleveland



y 1930. e. L. FERGUSON 1,757,299

APPARATUS FOR COMPRESSING AIR Filed Oct. 13, 1927 INVENTOR.

pumping apparatus 3.

Patented May 6, 1930 uurran STATES PATENT OFFICE GALE L. FERGUSON, OFCLEVELAND, OHIO, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO AUTO PRIME PUMPCOMPANY, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO APPARATUS FORCOMPRESSING AIR Application filed October 13, 1927.

The present invention, relating as indicated to pumping apparatus, isparticularly directed to apparatus for handling and compressing air andis a modification for the purpose stated of the apparatus described andclaimed in the copending application of Clarence G. \Vood. Serial No.222,015, tiled- September 26, 1927.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, said invention,then, consists of the means hereinafter fully described and particularlypointed out in the claims; the annexed drawing and the followingdescription setting forth in detail certain mechanism embodyingthe'invention, such disclosed means constituting, however, but one 01various mechanical forms in which the principle of the invention may beused.

In said annexed drawing:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation partially in section of my improvedapparatus; Fig. 2 is a transverse radial section showing a portion ofthe pump casing and pump element therein; and Fig. 3 is a section on theline 33 in Fig. 1.

My improved apparatus consists of a reservoir or pressure tank 1, whichis mounted in association with a priming chamber 2 and The pumpingapparatus which is shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 consists of a casing4:1)IO"iClG(l with a delivery passage 5 leading from the bottom of thereservoir 1 and an inlet passage 6 leading to a chamber 7 formed in thepriming chamber by means of a partition 8 extending from the top of thischamber to a point closely adjacent the bottom. Any suitable means maybe employed for operating the pump, such for example as an electricmotor. and I have not shown this element.

The pump element consists of the casing 4 with inlet and outlet passages6 and 5 as stated, both connected with a liquid channel 10, inwhich isrotated a pumping disc 11 pro vided with a series of oppositely formednotches 12 (see Fig. 2), which receives liquid from the inlet openingand carries this liquid around the periphery of the pump channel,discharging it into the conduit 5.

In the top of the chamber 1 is a removable Serial No. 225,888.

plug 20 which may be removed to permit the initial filling of thischamber with a suitable quantity of sealing liquid, such as water, andan air dischargeconduit 21, which may be led either to other storagetanks or'to a suitable tool requiring air for operation. A bypassregulating valve 25 is interposed in the conduit 26 extending betweenreservoir 1 and the priming chamber 2, while the priming chamber hasalso an air inlet valve 28 connected to the chamber in that portionscparated from the main chamber by the partition 8.

The operation of the apparatus is as follows: A suitable amount ofliquid, such as that indicated, is first introduced into the pressuretank 1. This liquid runs down from the pressure tank through the conduit5 and into the pressure channel it). Liquid is also admitted to thepriming chamber through the by-pass regulating valve which is alwaysopen to an extent until the water in the priming chamber reaches the topor at least reaches a height sufiieient to permit it to flow into thepump channel through the conduit 6. The pump is thcnstarted and acts todraw water from the priming chamber around the pump channel anddischarge it into the pressure tank through the conduit 5, and at thesame time air is sucked into the priming chamber through the air valve28. and is compressed by being forced through the pump and is thendischarged under pressure into the chamber 1 and passes through thewater in the bottom of this chamber, collecting in the upper portion anddischarging as permitted through the discharge conduit. 21. A suitableregulation of the return of the liquid from the tank to the primingchamber through the by-pass valve 25 ensures that both water and air areconstantly supplied to the pump, and this same device may be employed tovary the compression impressed upon the air in the pumping apparatus. Atstarting, or when the device is not in operation, the bypass valve maybe closed if desired, but in operation this valve is open sufiicientlyto properly proportion the amount of liquid which is introduced into thesystem to the amount of water which is introduced through the automaticair inlet valve 28.

Other modes of applying the principle of my invent-ion may be employedinstead the one explained, change being made as regards the mechanismherein disclosed, provided the means stated by any of the followingclaims or the equivalent of such stated 7 means be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctl claim as my invention:

1. n a device of the class described, a centrifugal pump, a pressuretank having communication with the outlet of said pump, and a primingchamber connected to the inlet of said pump, said chamber being providedwith an air inlet.

2. A device for compressing aircomprising a centrifugal pump, a pressuretank to receive the air delivered by said pump, and means including achamber separate from said tank but having communication 'therewith formaintaining a charge of-liquid in said pump. 7

3. A device for compressing air comprising a centrifugal pump, apressure tank to receive the air delivered by said pump, and meansincluding said tank and a chamber separated from said tank formaintaining a charge of liquid in said pump.

4. A device for compressing air comprising a centrifugal pump having aninlet and an outlet, a pressure tank connected to said outlet andadapted to contain liquid, a priming chamber connected to said inlet,means providing communication between said tank andsaid chamber, and anair inlet in said chamber.

5. A device for compressing air comprising a centrifugal pump having aninlet and an outlet, a pressure tank connected to said outlet andadapted to contain liquid, at priming chamber connected to said inlet,means providing regulable communication between said tank and saidchamber, and an air inlet in said chamber.

6. A device for compressing air comprising a centrifugal pump having aninlet and an outlet, a pressure tank connected to said outlet, a primingchambericonnected to said inlet, means for supplying liquid to saidchamber, and an air inlet in said chamber.

Signed by me this 11th day of October,

GALE L. FERGUSON.

